The National Pentecostal Forum (NPF), an inter-denominational umbrella organisation representing over three million South African Pentecostals, has returned from a trip to Israel hosted by South African Friends of Israel (SAFI).
The trip, which brought together leaders of various churches in the NPF, included a visit to the Garden Tomb, the Tower of David, the Nova Festival massacre site, the Knesset, as well as a meeting with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel, says SAFI national spokesman Bafana Modise in a media statement.
“During the roundtable discussion, delegates from the NPF emphasised that the ANC government’s policy positions toward Israel do not represent the views of the majority of South Africans,” says Bafana Modise, spokesperson for SAFI. “Those present stated unequivocally that the South African government does not speak on their behalf, and that the government’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice lacks the support of many South Africans.”
One delegate described that South Africa and Israel have been friends for many years, sharing a deep and meaningful relationship grounded in faith, worship, and a shared biblical heritage. Delegates stressed that this connection continues to resonate strongly with Christians across various denominations in South Africa.
One church leader also shared that he keeps an Israeli flag in his bedroom as a daily reminder to pray for Israel, underpinning the spiritual significance Israel holds for millions of South African Christians.
“The delegation made it clear that they are the people of God who love the people of God, including all the people of Israel. Those present rejected the idea that Pretoria’s foreign policy represents all South Africans, and reaffirmed their personal commitment to standing with Israel,” Modise adds.
Church leaders lastly committed to taking the message back to their congregations, pledging to publicly support Israel and to educate their churches on the historical, spiritual, and moral ties between South Africa’s Christian community and the Jewish state.
“The visit reaffirmed the growing disconnect between South Africa’s governing elite and its faith-based communities, and highlighted that spiritual ties between ordinary people of various faiths ultimately transcends sinister-based politics,” Modise concludes.
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